Australian War Memorial Technology Collection
There are no identified listings specifically for the AWM collection, although the memorial as a whole has the highest Australian level of recognition through its inclusion in the National Heritage List. While the collection is regarded as an integral component of the Australian War Memorial and the Memorial Parade for inclusion in the National Heritage List, coverage of the collection is generalised. This generalisation is illustrated in the extracts below from the 20 April 2006 citation when the AWM was listed in the National Heritage List:
- The AWM building is a purpose built repository, reflecting the integral relationship between the building, commemorative spaces and the collections.
- The AWM collection contains unique objects including a Lancaster bomber and the largest collection of Victoria Crosses in the world.
- The AWM has a unique and important function in the nation in collecting and displaying objects and records on Australians’ experience of war.
- The [heritage] values are expressed in the fabric of the place which includes: the main building; the Hall of Memory; the collections; the surrounding landscape; and Anzac Parade.
The AWM collection has tremendous historical significance, both within Australia and internationally, and this continues to grow as the collection itself grows. A great deal of the significance of the AWM and one of the key reasons that it attracts approximately a million physical visitors a year is the technology collection. The collection is also fully documented and available for viewing on the AWM website at:
www.awm.gov.au (Advanced Search - Technology)
A central tenant of the AWM is that all of the items in the technology collection must have been used by or against Australian Forces on operations. Therefore as an example, C-47B Dakota and Sabre aircraft are in the collection as they had 6 distinguished service use in WW11 and the Korean War respectively, however the Mirage jet fighter which was used by the RAAF for many years never saw active service and therefore an example is not retained as part of the collection.
Many such items have become icons of both Australian and World history, such as the water drip self-firing rifle from the Gallipoli withdrawal (see AWM Collection H19321, J00364 and GO12911) and the German V-2 (A4) rocket (Relic 12324), the world’s first guided ballistic missile and the precursor launch platform for modern space exploration.
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Engineering Heritage Recognition Program
| Marker Type | Engineering Heritage International Marker (EHIM) |
| Award Date | 20 June 2023 |
| Heritage Significance | The technology collection of the AWM is the most complete and well documented collection of its type in Australia and is one of the leading examples internationally. The collection spans all types of military technology and there are innumerable examples of technology which are significant due to innovation, rarity or cultural significance. |
| Nomination Document | Available here. |
| Ceremony Booklet Ceremony Report |
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| Plaque/Interpretation Panel Image | Available here. |
